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Endarterectomy for Stenosis of Less Than 50% Without Symptoms

Research shows that there is no benefit to having
endarterectomy if you have less than 50% stenosis (narrowing) and no symptoms,
such as a previous TIA or mild stroke.1
People in this group do not benefit from endarterectomy. They actually increase
their risk of stroke or death from surgery because of complications of the
procedure. For people with less than 50% stenosis who do not have symptoms, the
American Heart Association guidelines recommend treatment with
medicine.2

This group is
already at a lower risk for stroke than those with a higher degree of stenosis. So having surgery would not likely further reduce that risk. It would instead introduce
new risks linked with surgery.

Biller J, et al. (1998). Guidelines for carotid
endarterectomy: A statement for healthcare professionals from a special writing
group of the Stroke Council, American Heart Association. Circulation, 97(5): 501–509. Also available online: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/97/5/501.full.

By

Healthwise Staff

Primary Medical Reviewer

E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine

Specialist Medical Reviewer

Karin M. Lindholm, DO - Neurology

Current as of

March 12, 2014

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated:
March 12, 2014

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
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information.